| M3LL155X | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| EP by | ||||
| Released | 13 August 2015 | |||
| Recorded | 2014 | |||
| Length | 18:44 | |||
| Label | Young Turks | |||
| Producer |
| |||
| FKA Twigs chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Singles from M3LL155X | ||||
| ||||
M3LL155X (pronounced "Melissa") is the third extended play (EP) by English singer and songwriter FKA Twigs, released on 13 August 2015 by Young Turks. [1] The EP was lauded by music critics after its release and peaked at number 63 on the Billboard 200 becoming her second entry on the chart.
In November 2014, producer Boots, whose work includes producing music on Beyoncé's 2013 eponymous album, announced he was working on Twigs' third extended play. [2]
M3LL155X was completed by November 2014, and she was waiting for the end of her LP1 tour before releasing any material. [3] She had also been working on a music video for every song, which delayed the release. [4]
When Twigs was 18, she began working with local London producers to try to find "her sound". Around the time is when she wrote "I'm Your Doll". She ended up producing a lot of what she calls "really bad demos." In an interview with Complex, Twigs admitted that she had a self-hatred while writing her debut studio album LP1 , which she considers "quite normal" for a young person. [4]
Before M3LL155X had a title, fans and reporters referred to the extended play as EP3, as a continuation of the pattern started by EP1 and EP2 . In June 2015, she announced the name of the EP to be Melissa. "Melissa" is the name of Twigs's personal female energy. She explains that Melissa is not an alter ego, and clarifies that her female energy never had a name until the EP was being finalised. She named the extended play M3LL155X as a way of separating it from herself. [5] It was this energy that made her want to appear pregnant in the "Glass & Patron" music video and the videos that follow. [6]
The music video for "Glass & Patron", directed by Twigs herself, debuted on 23 March 2015 as part of the 2015 YouTube Music Awards. [7] The song "Figure 8" premiered on Zane Lowe's radio show Beats 1 on 3 August 2015. [3] The song "In Time" premiered on Annie Mac's radio show on BBC Radio 1 as well as on Sirius XMU an hour before the extended play's release. On 31 August 2015, "In Time" impacted contemporary hit radio in the United Kingdom as the lead single from the EP. [8]
The extended play was released on 13 August 2015 as a digital download. Twigs unveiled the album artwork on her Instagram account. It was shot and edited by artist Matthew Stone. [9]
A short film was released simultaneously with the EP's release. The self-directed 16-minute video features four of the songs: "Figure 8", "I'm Your Doll", "In Time" and the previously released video for "Glass & Patron". [9]
The video begins with the song "Figure 8", and features a cameo of fashion icon Michèle Lamy dressed as an anglerfish. Her hands and arms are entirely ornamented in jewelry. Near the end of the song, Lamy inserts the esca into her mouth. She opens her mouth to reveal a luminescent ball floating from her mouth. The song "I'm Your Doll" begins with a CGI animation of a nude woman inflating created by digital artist Jihoon Yoo. The video then cuts to a scene of Twigs, with the body of a blow-up doll, lying in a bed. A man lusts over her and proceeds to have sex with her plastic body. The doll body is deflated after he impregnated her. [10] [11] The song "In Time" begins and shows a pregnant Twigs, as well as a normal Twigs dancing for a man in a jewel (the man was previously featured in her video for "Papi Pacify" from EP2 ). As the song ends, Twigs's water breaks, and pastel paint drips down her legs and forms a puddle around her feet. A white van with pink and blue handprints flashes on the screen as the music video for "Glass & Patron" begins. A sample of "Mothercreep" begins as Twigs prepares to give birth to dancers and coloured mesh. The scene cuts to a vogue battle on a runway as "Glass & Patron" plays. Twigs begins as a judge of the battle but then participates near the end.
Billboard described the video as "jaw-dropping" and a "video statement". [12] Rolling Stone compared the music video to the work of director David Lynch. [13] The music video also received two nominations from 2016 MTV Video Music Awards for Best Visual Effects and Best Choreography. [14]
| Aggregate scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Metacritic | 89/100 [15] |
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| Billboard |   [16] |
| Consequence of Sound | B [17] |
| Drowned in Sound | 9/10 [18] |
| The Independent | [19] |
| Now Magazine | [20] |
| Pitchfork | 8.6/10 [21] |
| PopMatters |   [22] |
| Spin | 8/10 [23] |
M3LL155X received widespread acclaim from contemporary music critics upon its release. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album received an average score of 89, based on 12 reviews, which indicates "universal acclaim". [15] Kris Ex from Billboard described the extended play as "spacious, paranoid, and sultry," but stated that the songs lacked hooks. Ex commented that even though the EP makes a statement, it also leaves unanswered questions. [16] Adam Kivel from Consequence of Sound compares the EP to the uncanny valley, stating that the music is similar to R&B and pop, but it still pulls the listener out of their comfort zone. [17] Andy Gill from The Independent stated that the music is more focused and coherent than LP1 . Gill also commented that Twigs's art is so unique, she's "staring stardom in the face." [19] Anupa Mistry from Pitchfork stated that M3LL155X builds on Twigs's previous work, and her voice "prowls" over the music, compared to her previously soft voice. [21] Mistry also declares Twigs to be the feminist pop star that we need. Harley Brown from Spin stated that Twigs seems to be "growing stronger," and described the sound of the extended play as "futuristic" and "nostalgic." [23]
All tracks written and produced by FKA Twigs and Boots, except where noted.
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Figure 8" | 3:03 | ||
| 2. | "I'm Your Doll" |
| 3:11 | |
| 3. | "In Time" |
|
| 4:35 |
| 4. | "Glass & Patron" | 4:19 | ||
| 5. | "Mothercreep" | 3:36 | ||
| Total length: | 18:44 | |||
Credits adapted from the liner notes of M3LL155X. [24]
| Chart (2015) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders) [25] | 193 |
| France (SNEP) [26] | 184 |
| New Zealand Albums (RMNZ) [27] | 30 |
| US Billboard 200 [28] | 63 |
| US Top Dance/Electronic Albums (Billboard) [29] | 2 |
| US Independent Albums (Billboard) [30] | 5 |
| Date | Format | Label | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13 August 2015 | Digital download | Young Turks | [31] |
| 4 December 2015 | EP | [32] |
Jhené Aiko Efuru Chilombo is an American singer and songwriter. Aiko embarked on her music career contributing vocals and appearing in music videos for R&B group B2K. In an effort to promote and cultivate a following for her, she was marketed as B2K member Lil' Fizz's cousin; she is not actually related to him. In 2003, Aiko was set to release her debut album, My Name Is Jhené, through her labels Sony, The Ultimate Group and Epic; however, the album was never released, and Aiko asked to be released from the label in order to continue her education.
Alejandra Ghersi Rodríguez, known professionally as Arca, is a Venezuelan musician and record producer based in Barcelona, Spain. She initially began releasing music under the name of Nuuro. After attending the Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music, Ghersi first released the EP Baron Libre (2012) under the name Arca and subsequently released the EPs Stretch 1 and Stretch 2; the latter experimented with hip hop and brought her attention from prominent music publications.
Madison Elle Beer is an American singer. Born in New York, she began posting covers to YouTube in early 2012. Beer gained substantial media coverage when Justin Bieber posted a link to one of her covers. She released her debut single, "Melodies", in 2013.
Tahliah Debrett Barnett, known professionally as FKA Twigs, is an English singer, songwriter, and dancer. Born and raised in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, she became a backup dancer for numerous famous musicians after moving to London at the age of 17, and made her own musical debut with EP1 (2012).
Joel Compass is British R&B and soul singer/producer. He is best known for his debut EP Astronaut, his debut single "Run", and the singles Forgive Me" and Girlfriends.
LP1 is the debut studio album by English singer-songwriter FKA Twigs, released on 6 August 2014 by Young Turks. Production for the album is handled by FKA Twigs herself, alongside Emile Haynie, Arca, Cy An, Devonté Hynes, Clams Casino, Paul Epworth, Sampha and Tic.
EP2 is the second extended play (EP) by English singer FKA Twigs, released on 17 September 2013 by Young Turks. The song "Water Me" was released as a promotional single in 2013.
EP1 is the debut extended play (EP) by English singer FKA Twigs. It was independently released in vinyl format on 4 December 2012. The EP was re-released under the Young label in Japan packaged with LP1 and as a standalone product in October 2016. On 16 December 2016 EP1 officially became available to stream and buy on all music services. It had also been repressed on 12-inch vinyl and re-released by Young the same day. The vinyl re-issue originally went unavailable on Amazon within less than a month, later coming back in stock on 19 February 2017.
"Two Weeks" is a song by English singer FKA Twigs from her debut studio album, LP1 (2014). The song was released digitally on 24 June 2014 as the album's lead single. It was also released on 12-inch vinyl on 29 July 2014, featuring the song "Pendulum" as a B-side.
"Pendulum" is a song by English singer FKA Twigs from her debut studio album, LP1 (2014). The song was released digitally on 30 July 2014 as the album's second single. It was also released on 12-inch vinyl the day before, serving as the B-side to "Two Weeks". "Pendulum" premiered on Zane Lowe's BBC Radio 1 show on 29 July 2014. Upon its premiere, Twigs referred to the track as "one of my favourite songs on my record."
Inc. No World is an American music duo originally from Los Angeles formed by brothers Andrew and Daniel Aged. Their first full-length album, No World, was released on February 19, 2013.
English singer and songwriter FKA Twigs has released two studio albums, one mixtape, three extended plays, twelve singles, one promotional single and eighteen music videos.
Lucki Camel Jr., known professionally as Lucki, is an American rapper and record producer from Chicago, Illinois. He came to public attention in 2013 after releasing his debut project, Alternative Trap. He has now signed with record label Empire. He has been hailed as one of the most influential figures in underground hip-hop in recent years. Lucki's second studio album Flawless Like Me debuted at number 12 on the Billboard 200.
"I'm Better" is a song by American recording artist Missy Elliott, and features accompanying vocals by frequent production partner Lamb.
"Cellophane" is a song by English singer FKA Twigs, released as the lead single from her second studio album Magdalene (2019). The song was released on 24 April 2019 through Young. It was her first single in three years. Its music video was also released on 24 April. "Cellophane" was met with widespread critical acclaim, with Twigs' vocal performance drawing significant praise.
Magdalene is the second studio album by English singer-songwriter FKA Twigs. It was released on 8 November 2019 by Young Turks. It is her first project since her EP M3LL155X (2015), and first full-length record since LP1 (2014). The album features a sole guest appearance from American rapper Future. FKA Twigs produced the album herself, with a wide range of co-producers including Nicolás Jaar, Koreless, Daniel Lopatin, Skrillex, Benny Blanco, Michael Uzowuru and Noah Goldstein, who also served as executive producer alongside Twigs.
"Sad Day" is a song by English singer FKA Twigs. Released on 9 November 2019 by Young Turks, it serves as the fourth and final single from Twigs' second studio album, Magdalene. The song was written and produced by Twigs, Koreless, Benny Blanco, Cashmere Cat, Nicolas Jaar, Skrillex and Noah Goldstein.
"Ego Death" is a song by American singer Ty Dolla Sign featuring American rapper Kanye West, English singer-songwriter FKA Twigs, and American DJ Skrillex, released for digital download and streaming through Atlantic Records on July 1, 2020, as the lead single from the former's third studio album, Featuring Ty Dolla Sign (2020). It contains additional vocals by Serpentwithfeet, Angela Davis, and Jariuce "Jehreeus" Banks. Ty Dolla Sign, Skrillex, and BoogzDaBeast produced the song. According to the first of the three producers, the song expands on West's "Fade". Initially previewed after the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in April 2019, the former experienced an internet leak in March 2020.
"Tears in the Club" is a song by English singer-songwriter FKA Twigs, featuring vocals from Canadian singer the Weeknd. It was released on 16 December 2021, as the lead single from Twigs' first mixtape, Caprisongs (2022). The two artists wrote the song with producers Cirkut, Arca, and el Guincho, alongside Ali Tamposi.
Caprisongs is the first mixtape by English singer-songwriter FKA Twigs. It was released on 14 January 2022 through Young and Atlantic Records. The mixtape features guest appearances from Pa Salieu, the Weeknd, Shygirl, Dystopia, Rema, Daniel Caesar, Jorja Smith, and Unknown T. The production is handled by el Guincho, who co-executive produced the mixtape alongside Twigs, as well as Arca, Cirkut, and Mike Dean, among others. The mixtape was supported by one single, "Tears in the Club", which features the Weeknd, and one promotional single, "Jealousy", which features Rema.
